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New pipeline bringing natural gas to Hutchinson

Two weeks ago, Atlanta Gas Light crews began boring a pipeline some 60 feet under the Savannah River.

Wednesday afternoon, Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson and AGL president Suzanne Sitherwood lit a ceremonial gas lamp at the Westin Savannah Harbor marking the beginning of natural gas service from Savannah to Hutchinson Island.

"One of the challenges to the development of the island was the lack of utility services," Johnson said in a statement. "Today, we have conquered that challenge as natural gas is now available on Hutchinson Island."

John McCleskey, project director and developer of Savannah Harbor on Hutchinson, agreed.

"In the overall view of developing Hutchinson, we've always felt it was important to be able to offer a complete package of utility services for residents, developers and investors," he said. "The addition of natural gas today assures quality development and encourages future investment."

The milestone has been a long time coming, McCleskey said.

"Because utilities have to come in under the river, it's a very expensive proposition. We've been very fortunate to have the support of the Public Service Commission, which has provided a subsidy for the project, as well as Atlanta Gas Light, to put this final piece into place."

Others involved in the years-long planning process included the city of Savannah, Chatham County and the Savannah Economic Development Authority.

Sitherwood said the project is expected to have a ripple effect on surrounding areas.

"When Hutchinson Island is built out, it will support some 3,000 residential units and a variety of small businesses - a footprint roughly the size of downtown Savannah," she said. "It will create a bedroom community for the Historic District."

The island already is home to the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa, the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center and the Savannah Economic Development Authority.

"That alone is indicative of the business community's confidence in where the island is going," Sitherwood said.